Track & Field FAQ
When are practices?
Practices are everyday starting at 2:50. They will typically end between 4:30-4:45 depending on the type of practice. We will run in rain, snow, hail, sleet, etc. so please come prepared to run in any conditions. If the weather is really bad we will practice inside, however athletes should come prepared to run outside. We recommend always having 2 sets of practice clothes, 1 set for cold weather the other if we are inside. The only reason practice will be cancelled is if Howard County cancels school / after school activities, or a coach cancels it. An email will be sent out if either occurs.
Are practices mandatory?
Yes, you are making a commitment to this team and therefore are required to attend all practices. Missing practice can affect playing time, at the discretion of the coach
What if I have to miss practice for a doctor apt. or if I need to stay after to get help with a teacher?
-Academics always come first and if a student needs to stay after school to receive help in a particular subject it will be excused. We do however ask that the student gets a note from the teacher to give to us.If you are getting help from a teacher it is expected you get help immediately after school, Do not wait around until 230-240 and then get help. Academic help is an excuse to be late, not to miss entirely. The same holds true with doctor’s appointments, please give us a note, and if possible let us know ahead of time. In regard to doctors/dentist appointments we do ask parents to schedule around our meet schedule. Our schedule will be posted online before the season and given out the first week of practice so there will be plenty of notice on when we are running our meets, especially our championship meets at the end of the season.
I play a club sport, what if I have to miss track practice for club practice / games?
Track practice and meets come first. What you do after track practice is up to you but your club schedule needs to revolve around track, not the other way around. If you have specific questions or are unsure please speak to a coach.
How long are the Meets? How many teams?
- This depends on what time of meet. Typically Invitationals (15-30 Teams) last the majority of the day (Almost always of Saturdays) from about 8am till 6pm. League meets for Indoor track (10-15 Teams) are Typically during the week and last from about 4pm - 8pm. League meets (6 teams) during Outdoor Track last from about 4pm-8pm. A time schedule for each meet will be emailed out and posted on the website about a week before the meet.
Can I take my child home early from a meet?
- We encourage everyone to stay the entire meet and ride the bus to and from the meets. Having everyone there helps build team unity and makes the team stronger. We recommend students bring their homework to the longer meets so they can work on it when they have some down time. We do understand that circumstances arise where you need to take your child home after they have completed their races / events and if you do please email me 24 hours prior to the meet. .Make sure you checkout with a coach before leaving and you can only take your child home.
What should I do if I feel like I’m injured?
-If you feel like you are injured please let a coach know immediately. We will modify your workouts and have you see our athletic trainer. Most running injuries are minor and treatment is just a few days off or light running. If you are planning on seeing an outside doctor please let us know ahead of time. Any decision an outside doctor makes regarding treatment or rehab overrides anything the coaches or athletic trainer says so we need to know if you are going to see one.
Does everyone run at every meet?
This depends on the season. During Indoor track we are limited on the number of athletes we can enter in the meets. Our goal is to get everyone in at least 2 meets. During outdoor track we have 4 Tri-meets that everyone will participate in. When it comes to Invitationals and Championship meets we will enter our best runners based on times / distances. These runners will be notified prior to the meet.
What equipment is required?
-Running shoes (bought within the last 3 months, most running injuries are a result of running in old worn out shoes.)
-Water bottle
- healthy snack to eat before and/or after practice each day.
-Running Watch (does not have to be fancy, 15$ at Wal-Mart / Target) All distance runners and sprinters should have a watch.
-Workout clothes that's appropriate for the weather!
-Inhaler or any other prescriptions that are needed during practices.
Should I buy Spikes?
-We recommend them, especially if you are going to be running track for multiple seasons. Spikes are lightweight racing shoes that should be worn for all meets. Spikes help the runner with traction throughout the race. Spikes can cut 20-30 seconds off your time for a distance race and 1-2 seconds for a sprint, which may not seem like a lot, but in a meet with 100 people it can be the difference between 10th place and 50th place.
What does the team expect from the athletes?
The way this team is structured, and the way we run our program, athletes are expected to be loyal to the team, themselves, and coaches. There is an expectation of daily practice with the team because "success" is achieved only when they show up and run as a team. As each individual runner improves, so does the team. They are expected to do workouts to the best of their ability. They are expected to listen to coaches and captains, and be open-minded to suggestions and advice. They are expected to communicate with coaches and team mates. They are expected to stay within the given practice run, and not go their own way believing their route is either better or shorter. They are expected to follow team rules. They are expected to have fun. Finally, they are expected to do well in class and do their homework, members of the team are students first and athletes second.
What foods are good on the day of the race?
Small portions of easily digested foods eaten at least 3 hours before competition are best, but water intake should never be limited. Most athletes feel best when they race a little hungry. Some foods that are good before the run include a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, banana, and water. Foods with a lot of sugar, fat, or anything that will fill your runner up completely should be avoided. he or she should not drink a lot of water immediately before the race, but rather a lot of it when he or she is not ready to race. Soda pop, chips, fast food, and other "junk" food are not good to eat either. Discourage soft drinks after a race because while he or she is thirsty, it will dehydrate them.
Practices are everyday starting at 2:50. They will typically end between 4:30-4:45 depending on the type of practice. We will run in rain, snow, hail, sleet, etc. so please come prepared to run in any conditions. If the weather is really bad we will practice inside, however athletes should come prepared to run outside. We recommend always having 2 sets of practice clothes, 1 set for cold weather the other if we are inside. The only reason practice will be cancelled is if Howard County cancels school / after school activities, or a coach cancels it. An email will be sent out if either occurs.
Are practices mandatory?
Yes, you are making a commitment to this team and therefore are required to attend all practices. Missing practice can affect playing time, at the discretion of the coach
What if I have to miss practice for a doctor apt. or if I need to stay after to get help with a teacher?
-Academics always come first and if a student needs to stay after school to receive help in a particular subject it will be excused. We do however ask that the student gets a note from the teacher to give to us.If you are getting help from a teacher it is expected you get help immediately after school, Do not wait around until 230-240 and then get help. Academic help is an excuse to be late, not to miss entirely. The same holds true with doctor’s appointments, please give us a note, and if possible let us know ahead of time. In regard to doctors/dentist appointments we do ask parents to schedule around our meet schedule. Our schedule will be posted online before the season and given out the first week of practice so there will be plenty of notice on when we are running our meets, especially our championship meets at the end of the season.
I play a club sport, what if I have to miss track practice for club practice / games?
Track practice and meets come first. What you do after track practice is up to you but your club schedule needs to revolve around track, not the other way around. If you have specific questions or are unsure please speak to a coach.
How long are the Meets? How many teams?
- This depends on what time of meet. Typically Invitationals (15-30 Teams) last the majority of the day (Almost always of Saturdays) from about 8am till 6pm. League meets for Indoor track (10-15 Teams) are Typically during the week and last from about 4pm - 8pm. League meets (6 teams) during Outdoor Track last from about 4pm-8pm. A time schedule for each meet will be emailed out and posted on the website about a week before the meet.
Can I take my child home early from a meet?
- We encourage everyone to stay the entire meet and ride the bus to and from the meets. Having everyone there helps build team unity and makes the team stronger. We recommend students bring their homework to the longer meets so they can work on it when they have some down time. We do understand that circumstances arise where you need to take your child home after they have completed their races / events and if you do please email me 24 hours prior to the meet. .Make sure you checkout with a coach before leaving and you can only take your child home.
What should I do if I feel like I’m injured?
-If you feel like you are injured please let a coach know immediately. We will modify your workouts and have you see our athletic trainer. Most running injuries are minor and treatment is just a few days off or light running. If you are planning on seeing an outside doctor please let us know ahead of time. Any decision an outside doctor makes regarding treatment or rehab overrides anything the coaches or athletic trainer says so we need to know if you are going to see one.
Does everyone run at every meet?
This depends on the season. During Indoor track we are limited on the number of athletes we can enter in the meets. Our goal is to get everyone in at least 2 meets. During outdoor track we have 4 Tri-meets that everyone will participate in. When it comes to Invitationals and Championship meets we will enter our best runners based on times / distances. These runners will be notified prior to the meet.
What equipment is required?
-Running shoes (bought within the last 3 months, most running injuries are a result of running in old worn out shoes.)
-Water bottle
- healthy snack to eat before and/or after practice each day.
-Running Watch (does not have to be fancy, 15$ at Wal-Mart / Target) All distance runners and sprinters should have a watch.
-Workout clothes that's appropriate for the weather!
-Inhaler or any other prescriptions that are needed during practices.
Should I buy Spikes?
-We recommend them, especially if you are going to be running track for multiple seasons. Spikes are lightweight racing shoes that should be worn for all meets. Spikes help the runner with traction throughout the race. Spikes can cut 20-30 seconds off your time for a distance race and 1-2 seconds for a sprint, which may not seem like a lot, but in a meet with 100 people it can be the difference between 10th place and 50th place.
What does the team expect from the athletes?
The way this team is structured, and the way we run our program, athletes are expected to be loyal to the team, themselves, and coaches. There is an expectation of daily practice with the team because "success" is achieved only when they show up and run as a team. As each individual runner improves, so does the team. They are expected to do workouts to the best of their ability. They are expected to listen to coaches and captains, and be open-minded to suggestions and advice. They are expected to communicate with coaches and team mates. They are expected to stay within the given practice run, and not go their own way believing their route is either better or shorter. They are expected to follow team rules. They are expected to have fun. Finally, they are expected to do well in class and do their homework, members of the team are students first and athletes second.
What foods are good on the day of the race?
Small portions of easily digested foods eaten at least 3 hours before competition are best, but water intake should never be limited. Most athletes feel best when they race a little hungry. Some foods that are good before the run include a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, banana, and water. Foods with a lot of sugar, fat, or anything that will fill your runner up completely should be avoided. he or she should not drink a lot of water immediately before the race, but rather a lot of it when he or she is not ready to race. Soda pop, chips, fast food, and other "junk" food are not good to eat either. Discourage soft drinks after a race because while he or she is thirsty, it will dehydrate them.